Asthma is the single most avoidable cause of hospital admission, yet it remains among the most common reasons for admission to hospitals for children. Join us to learn more about how asthma impacts our state and how an environmental approach can reduce the burden of this chronic disease. Also featured is an innovative pilot project, Putting on Airs, that uses a community-based approach to asthma control.

Describe the importance of professional education to increase adherence to best practice standards for the identification and reduction of environmental and home asthma triggers through the National Healthy Homes and Asthma Education Programs.

Salina Hargrove, B.S. began working in the CT Department of Public Health, Asthma program in 2005. She is currently the Asthma Program’s health educator and focus on developing community educational materials, community outreach and monitoring state community contracts. She is currently working towards a Master in Management and Organizational Leadership at Albertus Magnus College. Before entering the public health sector, Salina’s background include being employed at the Greater Hartford Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center as a financial case manager for medical rehabilitation of traumatic brain injured patients, and working for the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Centers in human resources and medical billing. She also continues to work for the St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center’s Behavioral Health as an admission’s officer for acute psychiatric and substance abuse inpatient care.

Hilary Norcia, MPH is currently the Community Health Coordinator for the Central CT Health District covering four towns in central CT with a total population of approximately 97,000 residents. Ms. Norcia currently works on a grant funded by the CT Dept of Public Health called Putting on Airs. This program sends health educators and sanitarians into the home to identify triggers and help the client understand what asthma is and how to properly use their medications. Hilary is also the Coordinator of the Region II Asthma Coalition that covers the Greater Hartford area and focuses on education and advocacy. She has over 12 years experience in public health field and is committed to serving the needs of the populations she serves. Ms. Norcia began her work at Waterbury Hospital as their Pediatric Prevention Coordinator on a federal Safe Schools Healthy Students Grant where she helped form the M.E.A.N. Coalition (Motivate Everyone to Adopt Non-Violence). Ms. Norcia has also worked with several national not for profit agencies including the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society where she led several community coalitions and implemented evidence-based community programs.